Ruth Powell
Dr Ruth Powell is Director of NCLS Research, a research centre that focuses on church vitality and community spirituality and wellbeing. Ruth has worked with NCLS Research since 1991 and became Director in 2007. She also holds a position as Associate Professor and Research Fellow, Public and Contextual Theology Research Centre, Charles Sturt University.
Major projects for NCLS Research include the five-yearly National Church Life Survey, which commenced in 1991 and forms the basis of one of the largest, most comprehensive databases on church life of its kind in the world. The 2016 NCLS included around a quarter of a million church attenders from 3000 local churches representing most Australian Christian denominations, from Catholic, Anglican, Uniting, other Protestant and Pentecostal faith traditions.
Ruth’s role involves managing research projects on both church and community life, as well as the development of resources for local churches, denominational leaders and other community agencies. Her own primary research interests lie in assisting churches to reflect on their interaction with the wider Australian community. As well as church health, and tracking changes in church life over time, she has worked on differences between age cohorts, and potential generational influences over time.
She has co-authored NCLS publications on church life such as Winds of Change, Shaping a Future, Taking Stock, Build My Church, Mission under the Microscope and Enriching Church Life. Her doctoral thesis focussed on age differences among church attenders.
2022 Book Editor, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
Research Fellow, Public and Contextual Theology Research Centre, Charles Sturt University
Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Theology, Faculty of Education and Arts, Charles Sturt University
Honorary Professor, Alphacrucis College
International Society for the Sociology of Religion
Society for the Scientific Study of Religion
Religious Research Association
Australian Association of Mission Studies
Australian Association for the Study of Religion
Alphacrucis College Research Committee
Australian College of Theology Ethics Committee
2019 Chair of Distinguished Book Awards Committee, Society for the Scientific Study of Religion
2020 Chair of Research Awards Committee for the Religious Research Association.
2017 Visiting Research Fellow, Protestant Theological University, The Netherlands
2015 USA Travel Grant provided by LDS Church to attend the Parliament of World Religions, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA in October 2015
2014 and 2015 Visiting Research Fellow, University of the Free State, South Africa
2013 Visiting Research Fellow, Protestant Theological University, The Netherlands
2012 ACU Outstanding Community Engagement Award
2010, 2012, 2019 Jack Shand International Travel Award, Society for the Scientific Study of Religion
(Small and medium commissioned research projects not listed)
2019-23 2021 Australian National Church Life Survey
Australian Community Surveys: 1998, 2002, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
2018- Consortium for the International Study of Congregations (CISC)
2019 Enliven Churches Project
2019-21 National Anglican Family Safety Study
Netherlands Church Life Survey (NL-CLS): 2019 onward
South African National Church Life Survey (SA-NCLS): 2018 onward
2015-18 2016 Australian National Church Life Survey
2014-15 South African Church Life Survey Pilot
Annual Australian Christian Churches Church Census: 2013 onward
2014 Salvation Army Eastern Territory Church Life Survey
Uniting Church Census of Congregations and Ministers: 2013 and 2019
2013 Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation Study
2012 Church of England Church Growth Project (UK)
2011 Australian National Church Life Survey
2010 Dutch Church Life Survey Pilot
2009 Directions 2012: Baptist Union NSW/ACT study
2009 International Social Science Survey – Australian religion module
2008-9 Australian Social Capital Survey
2006 Australian National Church Life Survey
2003 Well-being and Security Survey
2001 International Church Life Survey, including Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, USA.
1996 Australian Anglican/Protestant National Church Life Survey & Catholic Church Life Survey,
plus New Zealand Church Life Survey
1991 Australian Anglican/Protestant National Church Life Survey
Communications and Associate Researcher
Kathy is a consultant to NCLS Research in the area of resources and communication. She has a background in educational leadership, social inclusion in diverse communities, missions, counselling, group facilitation and community engagement.
Kathy is part of the resource development and communications teams. She has co-authored NCLS publications on church life, connecting with communities and sustainable leadership. She designs audio visual resources and communication tools to help people engage with their survey findings, in a positive learning process.
Kathy is also an associate researcher in qualitative research projects and brings experience in adult education and community consultation projects.
Researcher
Research, Resources, Communications
Dr Miriam Pepper has been a researcher at NCLS Research since 2011. She holds the position of Research Fellow, Public and Contextual Theology Research Centre, Charles Sturt University. She is also a Sessional Lecturer at the United Theological College, teaching social research methods to students enrolled in the Master of Ministry/Doctor of Ministry program.
Miriam has both quantitative and qualitative research skills, cross-disciplinary training (in engineering, German language, environmental science and the social sciences), and a background of community environmental activism.
Her research focuses on a range of areas in the social scientific study of religion, including congregational studies, Christianity and multiculturalism, contemporary Australian spirituality and views and activities related to issues of social service and justice. Her particular interests concern the intersections between religion and environmentalism.
Researcher
Research, Operations
Nicole is a research assistant with NCLS Research. She was heavily involved in all aspects of the 2011 and 2016 NCLS logistics team. With qualifications in psychology and research, she is part of the research team in the role of data management and research assistant.
Nicole has co-authored many of the NCLS Research occasional papers.
Researcher, NCLS Regional Coordinator Liaison
Research, Resources, Communications, Operations
Sam is a researcher with NCLS Research. He is the key contact person for the network of NCLS Regional Coordinators in each diocese, region and state in Australia.
Sam has a background in theology, ministry, psychology and counselling. He has co-authored NCLS publications on church life and sustainable leadership. He has a particular interest in ministers and burnout, and a passion to help foster vital churches with healthy leaders.
Operations, Communications
Amelia is the office manager of NCLS Research. She is responsible for much of the day to day administration of the NCLS team, including accounts, sales and research inquiries. With a background in youth leadership, cross cultural ministry and social work, Amelia is often the first point of contact for people connecting with NCLS Research.
Research Development Manager
Communications, Partner Liaison
Martin is the key contact person for the network of 2021 NCLS Regional Coordinators in Catholic Dioceses in Australia.
Martin has been a National Director of Catholic Mission, Director of Pastoral Planning for Parramatta Diocese, Marketing Manager for Wesley Mission, Chief Operating Officer for Church Resources and a Catholic School Teacher. He has been the Chair of the Commission on Mission of the National Council of Churches, a Board member of the Bible Society and of Seton Villa, a service for people with an intellectual disability. He has written and presented extensively on mission, evangelisation and parish renewal.
Information Technology, Operations
Chandrika is a programmer for NCLS Research. As part of the information technology team she has been responsible for developing the online capabilities for NCLS projects. With a background in computer programming, she facilitates the web-based delivery of survey tools and data reports.
Information Technology, Operations
James is a programmer for NCLS Research. As part of the information technology team he provides support in web content management, databases and report production. He has been responsible for developing the online capabilities for the NCLS projects and e-commerce mechanisms.
Research, Operations
Fleur joined NCLS Research in June 2021 after 7 years in a faith-based organisation partnering with universities to evaluate innovative approaches to aged care. Fleur has a background in mixed methods research and has publications in mental health, aged care, rural health, ophthalmology and critical care. She has been working with our clients to develop their questions for inclusion in the 2021 NCLS survey and her role will continue to evolve to meet the specific research priorities of NCLS Research.